Middlesex County reports rabid animals

STATE — The Middlesex County Office of Health Services is reporting that a skunk tested positive for rabies in South River, in the vicinity of Marie Street and Brant Street.

This is the sixth rabid animal reported in the county for 2014 and the first reported in South River.

On Friday August 1, 2014, the Animal Control Officer for South River responded to a call that a pet dog fought with and subsequently killed a skunk found in a resident’s backyard. The skunk was sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing.

The animal tested positive for rabies, so the dog owner was asked to consult with a physician regarding any exposure during the incident.

The dog was up-to-date with its vaccinations, received a booster vaccine from a veterinarian, and will be kept under a 45-day observation period. Additionally, a Middlesex County Office of Health Services’ Registered Environmental Health Specialist will be distributing rabies fact sheets within the area.

The Middlesex County Office of Health Services continues to monitor rabies cases within the municipality. Residents should report wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior to the Police Department.

It is recommended that residents should avoid contact with wild animals and immediately report any bites from wild or domestic animals to your local health department and consult a physician as soon as possible. Finally, be sure that all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and licenses.

Rabies is caused by a virus which can infect all warm-blooded mammals, including man. The rabies virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, or possibly by contamination of an open cut.

New Jersey is native to raccoon and bat variants of rabies. Bats, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats, and dogs represent about 95% of animals diagnosed with rabies in the United States.

State officials said cats have accounted for 90% of the domestic animal cases in New Jersey since 1989. For the last five years there has been an average of 16 cats infected with rabies annually. There were about 250 cases of rabies reported in the state last year.

Make sure all garbage containers have tight fitting lids, do not leave pet food or water outside, do not allow rainwater to collect in outdoor containers or equipment and keep yard free of garbage and debris.

Do not feed or handle wild animals.

Avoid contact with stray animals or pets other than your own.

Try to prevent your pets from coming into contact with wild animals.

Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats.